Safer and Better Dry Cleaning

Today's The Wall Street Journalreported on changes in the dry cleaning industry. Here at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI), we saw these changes coming two years ago. Perchloroethylene (perc) has long been the most commonly-used solvent for dry cleaning. However, perc has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an air pollutant and potential carcinogen, and dry cleaners that operate out of residential buildings are required to stop using it by the year 2020. In view of the safety concerns about perc, some dry cleaners have already begun using alternative solvents.

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We took a close look at how perc compares to the newer "green" processes in regards to both cleaning and impact on the environment. We found that while perc is good on greasy stains like oil and lipstick, GreenEarth, a liquid silicone cleaner that's supposed to degrade to sand, carbon dioxide, and water was the best overall at removing stains. If it does break down as claimed, that's good news for consumers and the planet. If you live in the Cincinnati area, look for Proctor & Gamble's Tide dry cleaning stores that use GreenEarth to clean clothes.